Program Description

Microelectronics is the primary medium for implementing communication, computer and control systems. They are at the core of the latest innovations in the automotive industry and aerospace engineering. Laptops, mobile phones, and the Internet are part of our everyday experience thanks to modern electronics.

Nile University’s Microelectronics System Design program focuses on state-of-the-art Integrated Circuit (IC) design and design methodologies. A particular emphasis is placed on design flow, system-level issues, and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, including modeling, synthesis, and simulation at various levels of abstraction. The program of study should naturally lead into hot areas of research as well as practical development work, whether the students choose the “thesis option” of the program (M.Sc.), or through course projects, if they take the “course-based option” (M.Eng.). Both options include an offering of core courses, specialized electives, and several business and management courses. At the end of the 2-year program, students will have gone through the whole design cycle from concept all the way down to verification, or tape-out. They will acquire hands-on experience in the design of microelectronics circuits and systems, coupled with a foundation in entrepreneurship and management that would enable them to make an immediate impact in the marketplace.

Local/ International Partners

The program was developed in cooperation with leading microelectronics design companies in Egypt and was benchmarked against similar leading programs worldwide. We are currently working on developing partnerships with leading world-class universities to participate in the delivery of the program.

Who should attend/Target Market

The program is specifically designed to provide a program of study for graduates wishing to pursue a career in the area of Microelectronics Design, or as a route to Continual Professional Development if they are already working in the Microelectronics industry. Positions graduates are expected to hold include: IC Designer, Senior IC Designer, Design Team Leader, and Design Manager, in the areas of Digital, Analog, RF, and Mixed-Signal Circuits and Systems.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will have had extensive hands-on design experience, and will be prepared to make an immediate contribution to microelectronic designs in companies specializing in the design of integrated circuits and systems, as well as companies developing EDA tools. Additionally, graduates will be able to make business decisions which will complement their technical expertise, and empower them to be agents of growth in the Microelectronics design industry in Egypt.

Faculty

The program faculty consists of professors from North American institutions as well as NU professors involved in the Microelectronics design industry in Egypt.

Curriculum

The program (36 credits required for graduation) of study consists of a core, specialized electives for depth, optional courses for breadth, and business and management courses. The core courses will provide the students with the basics of design flow for different implementations (ASICs, FPGA, and full custom) including tradeoffs for performance, design time, economics, etc. Specialized electives cover a range of topics including Analog Design, RF Microelectronics, Computer-Aided Design, and Modeling, Analysis, & Optimization of High-Performance ICs. The program is further enriched through a choice of courses that broadens the students’ horizons such as Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Digital Signal Processing, and Computer & Network Architecture. Business and Management courses complement the course offering for both the M.Sc. and the M.Eng. options.